Developed in the early 1950s to meet a Soviet Army requirement and first flown in June 1957, the Mi-6 was the largest-yet helicopter created in the Soviet Union. Its notable features included a power-plant consisting of two turbo-shaft engines (for the first time on a Soviet helicopter) and stub wings offloading the main rotor in forward flight; the cabin was big enough to accommodate artillery systems and tactical ballistic missiles. Built by two plants, the Mi-6 saw service with the Soviet Air Force (including participation in the Afghan War) and the air arms of several Soviet allies. It also proved valuable as a civil air-lifter during oilfield exploration in Siberia, remaining in service right the way up to 2002. A worthy successor to the Mi-6 appeared in 1977 - the Mi-26. With its 20-ton payload, it was (and still is) the world's largest and most capable transport helicopter. Again, the Mi-26 had both military and commercial uses (the former included participation in several armed conflicts); the type is still in production, being updated to meet modern requirements, and has been exported to several countries in Asia and Latin America.The book describes the history, variants and service career of the Mil' 'big lifters' and contains a detailed overview of the scale model kits covering these types which are currently available on the market.

Tea and coffee cups have been made in Britain since the middle of the eighteenth century and can be found in a vast array of decorative designs, reflecting the changing fashions of society as well as the advances made in the manufacturing process. This book charts the development of tea and coffee cups over 200 years, providing information on the methods of decoration, influential factories and designers. Steven Goss guides the reader on how to identify the dates of particular patterns, as well as listing a number of museums and auction houses where these ornamental cups can be discovered.

As the Roman Empire expanded its African settlements in the early centuries of the common era, thousands of mosaic floor pavements were fashioned to adorn the townhouses and rural estates of the African upper classes. Between the second and sixth centuries, mosaic art blossomed, particularly in Africa Proconsularis, the region comprising modern Tunisia. In contrast to the official art of imperial Rome, mosaics generally expressed the worldviews of private citizens. These artworks are remarkable for the intricate beauty of their polychromatic geometric and floral designs, as well as for figural scenes depicting the interests and activities of the patrons who commissioned them--scenes of daily life, athletic contests, gladiator spectacles, and classical literature and mythology.
Abundantly illustrated throughout, Tunisian Mosaics: Treasures from Roman Africa offers the general reader a lively introduction to this extraordinary ancient art. Initial chapters survey the historical background of Roman Africa and discuss the development of mosaic art in the Mediterranean. Subsequent chapters profile Tunisia's major mosaic sites and tour the collections of important museums. A final chapter surveys current initiatives to preserve this heritage for future generations.

The origins of raku can be traced back hundreds of years to Japan, where it was used as the traditional method of creating clay bowls for the tea ceremony. Over the years, potters have embraced and adapted these methods, celebrating the remarkable but unpredictable results achieved using raku techniques. Irene Poulton, who has specialized in raku firing for over 20 years, considers the origins of raku before offering 300 glaze recipes. A selection of other potters also share their ideas. With 100 color photos of raku-fired pieces, this is an outstanding source of information and inspiration for all potters.

Learn everything you need to know about making Cold Process soap from scratch. Essential Soap Making covers everything from A - Z: * History of soap making * Safety precautions * Ingredients used in soap making * 5 basic soap formulas to start your soaping journey * Additives and scents to make your soap truly unique * Troubleshooting problems that may arise * Glossary of soap making terms * Resource directory Written by two experienced soap makers and filled with more than 30 color photos (including close-up pictures of the trace process) and detailed instructions, this book walks you step-by-step through the soap making process. Handy reference charts teach the properties and benefits of soap making oils, essential oils and herbs commonly used in natural soap making. Essential Soap Making also includes detailed steps on how to start a soap making business.

Canadian-made W.J. Hughes "Corn Flower" is a distinctive floral design cut on glass stem and tableware. Produced from 1914 to 1988, Corn Flower was a popular gift item, widely collected and used by at least three generations of Canadian families. Corn Flower: Creatively Canadian contains a history of the Hughes family in Ontario, the life and work of Jack Hughes and the detailed business history of the Company from its inception in the basement of the family home to becoming a popular Canadian corporation.

Collectors from across North America will be fascinated by the profusion of splendid photographs, both black & white and colour, of the Corn Flower lines of glassware, many from the original company catalogues. Within the text are clues to the identification of authentic Corn Flower and the differentiation of blanks.

Until now, there were just two kinds of books on soapmaking. Books for the commodity soap industry emphasized the economical production of soap by the ton and were written for those with a background in chemistry and chemical engineering. Books for the emerging craft industry emphasized the production of high-quality soap by the pound and were aimed at those familiar with the format of cookbooks. Makers of handcrafted soap often wish they had paid more attention in chemistry class so that the information of the commodity soap books would be accessible to them. Scientific Soapmaking answers that call by bridging the gap between the technical and craft literatures. It explains the chemistry of fats, oils, and soaps, and it teaches sophisticated analytical techniques that can be carried out using equipment and materials familiar to makers of handcrafted soap. Presented in a college textbook format, Scientific Soapmaking guides students and individual soapmakers alike to formulate questions about soap and design experiments to answer those questions scientifically.

The book provides what the author calls a 'skillbase' - a reliable set of practices and attitudes that can successfully produce bone carvings of great functional and aesthetic beauty.

Creative techniques step-by-step. This book offers the reader an opportunity to watch one of our foremost contemporary sculptors at work, to see not just highlights of the creative process, but every step from beginning to end. In order to recreate the immediacy of an actual workshop situation, Bruno Lucchesi takes a single life-size head through all the stages of roughing in, modeling, refining the surface, and finishing and texturing, so that the reader can see exactly how he positions and models every detail.

With knowledge passed down from centuries ago, the presence of traditional crafts such as spoon carving, leather working, and knife making is becoming more and more pronounced in contemporary culture and on platforms such as social media and ecommerce. As the pressures of a fast-paced, modern-day life weigh on people, many seek solace in more manual, artful practices that take us out of our selves and produce something beautiful and useful. Forge & Carve looks at twenty crafters and how and why they create the items they do. From basket weaver to blacksmith, meet some of the talented people behind this revival of time-honoured techniques and discover how they make a living from their artistry. Admire their craftsmanship; share their enthusiasm; and learn from their philosophy.

The Avro Lancaster, such a stalwart of the skies during the Second World War, also enjoyed an interesting and surprisingly colourful post-war career. It is this era that the authors have chosen to focus on by profiling the type across its many variants. Split into three primary sections, this book offers a concise yet informative history of the Lancaster's post-war operational career (from 1945-1965) charting the course of the various alterations and improvements that occurred during this time and including a selection of contemporary photographs with detailed captions. A 16-page section features 32 colour illustrations (in profiles, 2-views and 4-views) specially prepared by Mark Gauntlett. The book's final section provides a list and box top illustrations of the plastic model kits produced of the Lancaster in all scales plus reviews and 'how to' construction notes on building a selection of kits in 1/144, 1/72 and 1/48 scales. As with the other books in the Flight Craft series, whilst published primarily with the scale aircraft modeller in mind, it is hoped that those readers who might perhaps describe themselves as 'occasional' modellers - if indeed they model at all - may also find that this colourful and informative work offers something to provoke their interests too.

The collecting of Staffordshire figures, a particularly English folk art, has expanded from its origins to include much of the English speaking world. This work, in two books, details and illustrates the range and depth of figures made by the potters. Over 2,900 figures are illustrated in Book One and Book Two, virtually all in the brilliant color which was imperative for the beauty and simplicity of the figures to be fully appreciated. Many of these figures have never before been recorded. A history of the figures, together with many sources and relevant bibliographical details, are included, along with a guide to current prices. Victorian Staffordshire Figures 1835-1875, Book One is the definitive work on Portrait figures, and also includes Naval and Military, and Theatrical and Literary Characters (including Opera, Ballet, and Circus).

The Vine Pottery was founded by Lawrence Arthur Birks and Charles Frederick Goodfellow in Stoke-upon-Trent in 1894. Beginning with small scale production of fine bone china tableware, the company fortunes were transformed in 1901 when Edmund G. Reuter was employed as designer. He introduced an ivory porcelain with middle eastern decoration known as 'Persindo Porcelain'. Many new designers were then attracted to the firm resulting in numerous international awards and even royal patronage from Queen Mary. Troubled times in the 1920s after the National Strike and the Wall Street Crash led ultimately to closure in 1934.